Common Templates in 2003? UPDATE: With plans for a newly designed Pontiac Grand Prix already in motion, NASCAR also has told General Motors to have a common template Monte Carlo ready for the 2003 Daytona 500. A minimum of three different Monte Carlos are being developed collectively by Richard Childress Racing, Hendrick Motorsports and Dale Earnhardt Inc. However, the construction of a new Monte Carlo for the 2003 racing season was not by choice of GM. The sanctioning body met with GM’s NASCAR Key Partners Group — JGR, RCR, Hendrick’s and DEI — and requested that they have a “common template” Monte Carlo ready to roll for the 2003 Daytona 500. A common template car will incorporate a universal design among all four makes where the construction of the greenhouse is nearly identical. Only subtle cosmetic changes would differentiate one car from another. But in principle, the cars would be aerodynamically equal. Speculation is that NASCAR was not happy with the continual lobbying for aerodynamic concessions that stole the headlines over Speedweeks. A common body style shared by all four manufacturers would eliminate the constant arguing over who has the best car. RCR is working on the Monte Carlo for submission that is a combination between a speedway car and a downforce car. DEI is working on the speedway (Daytona/Talladega) specific car, while Hendrick concentrates on the baseline intermediate piece that will be ready for the wind tunnel in the next two weeks. While Chevrolet contends it currently is six percent deficient in aero horsepower, the new changes should make the cars more competitive. But GM is certainly under extreme time constraints with just four months remaining to have the cars ready for initial submission to NASCAR in July, and for final submission by Oct. 1.(in part from the Sporting News)(4-11-2002) UPDATE: So what about the common template Chevrolet? “Not a ‘common template’ car, but we have discussed doing a (new) 2003 Monte Carlo,” Car Owner Ricchard Childress said. “Heck, there isn’t a common-template car out there. The Dodges and Fords don’t have the same templates because they don’t run the same every week; they’re not under the same rules.”.(Winston Salem Journal)(4-13-2002)
